Halfway up a long switchback climb, out of the saddle, you feel the bike rock side to side with every pedal stroke. Every part of the bike has to change direction with you, but the wheels do it twice: they spin and they swing. That is why wheel weight is felt more on a climb than almost anywhere else on the bike, and why it pays to know exactly where the grams in lightweight road wheels come from.
The short answer
The Avalon SL3 weighs 1248 g. The Avalon SL3 Ninefold weighs 1025 g, which is 223 g less and the lightest wheelset in our range. They use the same rim, so all of that difference sits in the spokes and hubs. On a steady 8 percent climb, 223 g is worth roughly 3.5 seconds over 5 km. On a climb that long it is a small number, and we would rather you know that than guess.
Why a gram at the rim counts double
A gram on the frame has to be carried. A gram at the rim has to be carried and spun, because the rim is the part of the wheel that is furthest from the axle. When you accelerate, a gram at the rim costs about twice as much energy as a gram on the frame. That is why rim, tire and tube weight is felt out of the saddle, out of corners and over rollers, where you are constantly speeding up.
On a steady climb the picture changes. Your speed is constant, so there is little spinning up to do, and every gram counts the same: it is just mass you have to lift. Spokes and hubs sit closer to the axle than the rim, so they count less when you accelerate, but just as much when you climb.
What 223 g is worth on a climb
We calculated it for a rider and bike together weighing 85 kg, holding 250 W on a steady 8 percent gradient, with typical rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. That takes about 24.7 minutes to climb 5 km. Taking 223 g out of the system saves 3.5 seconds. The calculation ignores the extra effect of spinning mass, so on a stop-start climb the saving is a little larger. It also shows why we do not claim a light wheelset will transform your climbing: the benefit is real, but it is measured in seconds, and it is felt most as a bike that responds when you stand up and push.
Where the grams in lightweight road wheels come from
| Wheelset | Spokes | Hubs | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon SL3 Ninefold | 20 Alpina Carbolite carbon | Onda-R, ceramic bearings | 1025 g |
| Avalon SL3 | 24 Alpina Ultralite aero | DT Swiss 240 EXP | 1248 g |
The Ninefold runs 20 spokes front and rear rather than 24. Carbon spokes add more stiffness than steel, so the extra four are not needed to keep the wheel stiff, and dropping them keeps the weight where it matters most. A carbon-spoked wheel with a free choice of spoke count depends on the hub: the Onda-R is our own design, which lets us set the flange diameter and the spoke hole count and position. The same step on our deeper Avalon SL5 saves the same 223 g (1357 g to 1134 g). We explain the 20-spoke choice in our article on the Avalon SL5 mixed-depth build.
The rim both wheelsets share
The Avalon SL3 rim is 35mm deep at the front and 40mm at the rear, with a 23.5mm internal width, hooked and tubeless ready. It is rated for 27 to 33mm tires, and for the best aero shape, low rolling resistance and grip we recommend 28 to 30mm. The front runs shallower for calm steering, while the rear carries a little extra depth for the lateral stiffness you need when you stand up. The ART asymmetric rim design evens out spoke tension between the two sides of the rear wheel, so a wheel this light still holds its shape under load.
Who it is for
Both wheelsets are lightweight road wheels for riders who climb hard and want a bike that responds the moment they stand up. The SL3 is the light, agile choice, serviceable at almost any bike shop thanks to the DT Swiss hubs. The SL3 Ninefold is for the rider chasing the last grams, and because of how light it is built it carries a maximum rider and gear weight of 105 kg. The SL3 with DT Swiss 240 EXP hubs and steel spokes is rated for 120 kg.
Frequently asked questions
How much lighter is the Avalon SL3 Ninefold than the Avalon SL3?
223 g: 1025 g against 1248 g. The rim is the same, so the saving comes from the carbon spokes, the 20-spoke layout and the Onda-R hubs with ceramic bearings.
How many seconds does a lighter wheelset save on a climb?
For an 85 kg rider and bike at 250 W on an 8 percent gradient, taking 223 g out of the system saves about 3.5 seconds over 5 km. A lighter wheelset matters more for how the bike responds when you accelerate than for the clock.
What tire width and pressure suit the Avalon SL3?
The rim is rated for 27 to 33mm tires, with 28 to 30mm recommended. On 28 to 30mm tires the maximum is 6.5 bar, but the optimal pressure is almost always lower. See our tire pressure chart.
What is the maximum rider weight for the Avalon SL3 and SL3 Ninefold?
The Avalon SL3 Ninefold is rated for 105 kg rider and gear weight, and the Avalon SL3 with DT Swiss 240 EXP hubs and steel spokes for 120 kg. If you are above 105 kg, the SL3 with steel spokes is the better choice.
Both are hand built in the Netherlands, and once you register, the carbon rims carry a lifetime warranty. View the Avalon SL3 or the Avalon SL3 Ninefold in our webshop.
